JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Traveling hundreds of miles to speak with First Coast News, the brother of the man killed in a hit-and-run in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood is searching for answers.

Brooks Venegas was surrounded by his family and friends at the Walgreens off Merrill Rd. Wednesday. That is where his brother, Brandon Venegas, was killed in a hit-and-run.

“I would have flown from Australia…it’s my brother, my blood, my family,” Brooks said.

Brandon was the youngest of three boys and grew up in the Arlington community. He later became a father to a little girl. Brooks said his brother was always a good time and kept people laughing.

“He was fun loving, hard worker, just like all of us we’re hardworking guys, but he loved to have fun, he loved to make people laugh,” Brooks said.

Standing with his family, Brooks shared his favorite memories of Brandon.

“I just remember him going to the beach, having fun, having drinks here or there, just laughing all the time and just always enjoying life,” Brooks said.

That all changed the night of May 26. Brandon was found dead in the back parking lot of the Walgreens off Merrill Road. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office believes he was hit by a car.

“It doesn’t feel real when you hear it,” Brooks said.

Investigators have little information about the circumstances surrounding Brandon’s death, but they believe a white, mid-size SUV caught on a surveillance video could be the one involved. 

“It’s a frustrating thing as a family. We want answers and we don’t know where to go, they can’t help us so it’s tough,” Brooks said.

As Brooks and his family continue to grieve, they’re now pleading for someone to come forward and provide the answers for which they have been searching.

“If you know something, say something. I know it’s such a cliche thing to say, but it’s the right thing to do. And if it’s the person doing it, I know you think you’re gonna get in trouble and it sucks if it was an accident, if that’s really what happened, but do the right thing,” Brooks said.

Anyone with information on what happened or the car involved, call JSO at 904-630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. The caller can remain anonymous.